Railway signal torpedo



Aug. 12., 1924. I

F, DUTCHER RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO Filed Apri1. 14 1924 Patented Aug. 12, 1924;,

FRANK BUTCHER, OF MGKEESPORT, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY SIGNAL TORPEDO.

' Application filed April 14, 1924. Serial No. 706,358.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK DUTCHER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Versailles Boro., McKeesport, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Signal Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing. v

This invention relates to improvements in railway signal torpedoes and its object is to i provide a new form of clip for connecting the railengaging strap to the torpedo.

Many constructions have been devised and patented showing different forms of clips for connecting rail engaging straps to torpedo cases. i

The primary object of my present inven tion is to so make and so attach a clip to the torpedo that the opposite ends of the clip automatically engage with the torpedo case or surrounding strengthening ring, the clip constructed for threading through openings in it a rail engaging strap.

Specifically my improvement pertains to a clip having itsends provided with pointed projections, the clip fitting within the ring or extensionof the case, causing the projections to be embedded within the member engaged by them.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a torpedo case showing a clip embodying my present improvement applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of a case showing my improved clip applied to it.

Figure 3 is a sectional view at right angles to Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of a torpedo showing my clip and 'a spring rail engaging strap held thereby.

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan View of myimproved clip somewhat modified in con struction. I

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of a torpedo showing my clip applied to it, and holding a lead strap.

In showing my improvement I I have adopted for the purpose of illustrations; circular case,-b11t I desire it understood'that the case may be of other forms without departing from my present invention, and

that modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without changing the invention here involved.

In the drawings:

The case is composed of two telescoping cup-shaped members 1 and 2. These are of the ordinary construction, though the construction of this case may be varied Without in any manner affecting my improved clip.

My improved clip essentially comprises a plate 3, preferably'elongated, and the opposite ends of this clip are provided with a plurality of pointed projections 4, though the number of projections maybe varied. Referring now to the illustration of Figures 1, 2 and 3, this clip is provided with'two parallel corrugations 5 which as shown extend throughout the clip. The purpose of these corrugations is to prevent the clip from buckling when it is compressed by the surrounding ring 6*.

In operation the clip is preferably applied to the torpedo by inserting it in a strengthening ring 6 which will carry the ring out of a true circle. Then the case is placed in the ring and as it is being forced therein the ring is brought to a round or substantially round form whereby the clip is forced into the fibre ring. It will be understood that the form of torpedo here shown is of the non-flying type, that is to say, the case and the ring are preferably formed of paper or other fibrous material.

As shown this clip 3 is provided with two transversely extended openings 6 which lie between the longitudinal corrugations 5. The lead strap 7 passes through these openings and under the outwardly bulged portion 8 and extends outward as shown in Figure 6. This secures the strap firmly to the case and the case is firmly wedged in the ring 6*. After the torpedo is constructed it is dipped in a water-proofing compound asis usual, and in which event the waterproofing compound enters and fills up the spaces making 'a water-tight torpedo.

"When a spring rail engaging strap is applied'to my improved clip it is made in two separate parts 9 and. 1D. Inthis case the ends of the clip are cut out as shown at 11 forming a space between the center of the clip and the ring 6. The ends of the straps are made U-shaped as shown at 12 and these double around the portions 3 Of the clip, while just outside of the parts 13 the straps are bent as shown at 14.

The straps whether lead ,or spring areattached to the clip beforeth'e cl'i'p'is applied to the torpedo, and the bent port-ions14 act as a lock to hold the two parts of the strap in position.

I desire to call attention to the fact that the ends of the strap are bent into the U-shape 12 and with the bends '14 before it is applied to the clip, and then it is' applied by passing the long end through the inner opening 6 and out of the space 1 1. Thus the clip and the two parts of the strap are then applied to the ring, and then "the case pushed into the ring causing the projections 4 to bite into the ring. The completed torpedo makes a very permanent holder for the strap whether the strap is made oflead'or a spring. r

In the constructionshown in Figure 6 the outer case 1 has its wall 1 elongated so it extends beyond the part 2 of the case. In this arrangement the clip has its ends engaging the elongated "wall 1, and the wall will be slightly deflected outward until the retaining and strengthening ring 6* is applied when the'projections will be forced .into the extendedrwall of the case '1. I This is a modification of the construction that is disclosed in the other figures of the drawing.

I desire it understood that the form of clip shown in Figures 4 and 5 can be used in the modified form of Figure 6 as wellas when the case i's'made as in Figures 1,2 and 3.

The improvement above described therefore involves the construction of the clip, and consequently involves the construction of the two-part spring strap in connection with the clip; i

In the construction the ring 6 may be considered as comprising a part of the case in the broad acceptationof that term'in the claims, except where the claims specifically state otherwise; i 'I desire it understood that modifications may be made in the construction"without departing from the'invention so long as "it involves the features and operation described: a

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure and claim Letters Patent is: v i

'1. A railway signal torpedo comprising a case, a surrounding strengthening -ring deeper than thesaid: case' an'd projectin'g beyond its bottom; and a o11ip =hav-ing itsv ends extended-andp'rojecting a-ntl "biting into the inner" side "of the sai'd ring for' purpose-described? versely extending clip provided with longitudinal corrugations for the purpose described, the ends of the clip engaging the extended wall of the case, and a rail engaging strap connected with the clip.

4. A railway signal torpedo comprising a case having a downwardly extended wall, of aclip having its ends engaging the inner side of said wall, the said clip provided with two openings, and a spring rail engaging strap comprising two parts, the end of each part passing through the openings and doubled around the'clip for connecting it therewith, the spring strap normally bent downwardly and inwardly, whereby the parts are held in position when applied to the head of a railway rail.

5. A'railway signal torpedo comprising a case having an extended wall, a clip engaging the said wall, said clip having two openings at opposite ends, of a spring rail engaging strap passing through the said openings and doubled around the clip, said strap having bent portions beyond the doubled portions, whereby the strap is locked against endwise movement.

6. A railway signal torpedo comprising a case having an extended wall, a clip engaged by the said wall, the said clip having strap engaging openings, of a two-part spring, the upper ends of the spring bent. to interlock with the said clip and the extended wall, thereby locking the two-part strap thereto.

7 .An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a case having an extended wall,

I a clip engaging the said wall, the said clip having strap openings, of a two-part spring strap, the upper ends of the twopart strap normally bent downwardly and inwardly a railway rail.

8; An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member, the said clip having a longitud nal corrugation and openings for connecting a rail engaging strap th'eretoQ 9.'An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member having its ends constructed to lock with the torpedo case, the said member havingparal lel longitudinally "extended corrugations and openings to receive 'a'rail engaging strap. w A.

10.; An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member having its ends provided with pointed projections for engaging with a case, and longitudinal corrugations and strap openings between the corrugations.

11. An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member having longitudinal corrugations, the center of the ends of the member cut away, and a clip provided with transversely extending strap openings, for the purpose described.

12. An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member having the center of its ends cut away, longitudinally extending corrugations, strap openings extending transverse the member and located between the corrugations, for the purpose described. 4

13. An improved clip for railway signal torpedoes comprising an elongated member, cut away between its ends and having the remaining portions of its ends! provided with pointed projections, said member having longitudinally extending corrugations,

and strap openings located between the corrugations.

let". An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a case, a surrounding strengthening ring of greater depth than the said case and extending from one side of the case, and a clip having its ends held by the said ring, and a rail engaging strap connected with the clip.

15. An improved railway signal torpedo comprising a case, a strengthening ring surrounding the said case and of greater depth than the case, said ring extending from one side of the case, a clip held to the case by the extended portion constructed for the attachment of a spring rail engaging strap, said strap being bent to interlock with the clip and with the extended portion of the ring to hold it in place and prevent its removal.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANK BUTCHER.

of the ring, said clip 

